PROGRAM 10
(3RD FLOOR)
The Big Boy City by Bram Hartman
The Grand Experiment by Matthew Daley
The Big Boy City
Written by Bram Hartman
Directed by Jackson Bradshaw
Synopsis: Moving to a new city is hard, especially when you are escaping a political sex scandal in your conservative hometown. Make it even harder by being gay. This one person play talks about the differences between living in a Big Boy City and a Little Boy City. Our character talks about why we choose to move, what are the motivating factors, and how to survive and thrive when we do make the move. Through comedy and heart, this one act tells the story of any of us. Our character wants to be loved and accepted and start over completely, but find a bit of community along the way.
Bram Hartman – Playwright/ performer (he/him) is an NYC based writer. His work has been seen in California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and New York. Bram is a 2024 Lambda Literary Fellow. He is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild and the PlayGround-NY Writer’s Pool. This is Bram’s second time working with the wonderful Jackson Bradshaw! He lives in Hell’s Kitchen with his fiancé and cat. bramhartman.com, @bramhwriter
Jackson Bradshaw (they/he) is an NYC based indie theatre director who specialized in developing new works. A few selected credits include Remembering Morgan (Playwrights Horizons,) People Don’t Shoot Up Schools in 1930. (Theatre Row,) and Revolution10 (Chain Theatre.) Jackson would like to thank Playground-NY for introducing them to Bram Hartman and his gorgeous writing. You can follow @jacksonbradshawofficial on Instagram and Tiktok.
The Grand Experiment
Written and Directed by Matthew Daley
Synopsis: It is election night at the headquarters of mayoral candidate Spencer David Paige, the youngest and first openly gay candidate in the city's history. He is on the brink of winning when his team discovers that he has died on the way to his final campaign event. As his team bickers and grieves, they come up with a hail mary to save the election...and democracy itself.
Kaitlyn Mendez (Andrea)
Kaitlyn Mendez (She/Her) is an actor from Brooklyn, NY. She is so excited to play Andrea in this production. She recently graduated with her BFA in Musical Theatre from SUNY Cortland. Her previous credits include Proof (Claire) and Sour Kangaroo (Seussical). You may have seen her recently perform at 54 Below. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continuous love and support. Follow her on Instagram: @kaitmarienyc
Zane Julia (Kerry)
Zane (pronounced more like ZÁH-neh, it’s a Latvian name) is thrilled to be a part of this festival and the launch of this timely and important work. She loves New York city, democracy, and a good slice. For more about Zane, please check out her website: zanejulia.com. Thanks for coming and enjoy the show!
Jaden Fabio (Eddie)
Jaden Fabio is a Trinidadian American NYC based actor currently attending CUNY’s LaGuardia Community College majoring in theatre. He has been obsessed with theatre since he was six years old and has been in productions like Big Love and Everybody – he has also played a backstage role in the production Pippin’. This is his first role outside of school and he is excited and thankful for his mother, family and friends. IG: @jadenfabio
Hunter Fenstermaker (Nyma) is a graduate from the Musical Theatre Conservatory Program at AMDA College of the Performing Arts. She is originally from Bethlehem, PA, but moved to the city to pursue a career as a performer, writer, and director. Hunter would like to give a huge thank you to her family and friends who have always been an amazing support system in her life.
Arelis Cruz (Tess)
Arelis Cruz is a NYC based actor, singer, songwriter with a Master's of Music degree from NYU for Vocal Performance with a concentration in Musical Theater. Her most recent credit was Catherine in Pippin. She would like to thank her friends and family for their incredible support. IG: @areliscruzmusic www.arelisjcruz.com
Hanifah Johnson (Gig Economist)
Hanifah Johnson is a Black poet and actress from Brooklyn, NY. She pivoted into acting in High School through The August Wilson Monologue Competition where she made it to, finals as Vera of ‘Seven Guitars’. She then debuted in her first off-broadway play ‘For Colored Girls’ as Lady Brown at age 17 at the Rooted Theater Company. Other credits include off-broadway play, ‘A Woman’s Worth’ and her first lead as Crystal in ‘Through Crystal Eyes’, performed at St. John’s University in protest against domestic violence. In addition, she has also created and performed in devised theater productions with “ViBe Theater Experience”. She recently graduated with her A.S in Theatre from LaGuardia Community College where she performed in major productions like “Everybody”, “Pippin” and “My First Semester”. Theatre is her vocation and she looks forward to growing and expanding her experiences. IG : @_hanifahjohnson
Marlon Hall (Sinclair)
Modern and Classically trained, he has played roles from Shakespeare to Mamet, working in university theatres and NYC-based acting classes. He has recently completed a one-year professional acting program at The Barrow Group, with Seth Barrish and Lee Brock, as well as Conservatory at Circle in the Square with Alan Langdon. He shares a daughter with his wife, is a sober curious bartender, and really likes plants.
Looking forward to starring in the remake of The Jeffersons, as George. If only.
Jeff Dylan Garrett (Doug)
Jeff is a creative director, award-winning photographer and actor based in Brooklyn. Coming to New York from Dubai, he’s a global citizen and an avid traveler - having lived in three countries while visiting over 50.
Jennifer Molson (Carson)
A New York City-based actor, singer, director originally from Hollywood, Florida. She graduated from the New York Film Academy for Musical Theatre and since then has been working professionally in multiple regional houses across the country as well as Off-Broadway for a run with “The Office! A Musical Parody”. When she is not on stage, you can find her singing and serving at Ellen’s Stardust Diner. Jen would like to thank her mom and all her friends and family for their love and support! @jennifermolson
Matthew Daley (Writer, Director) is an educator, writer, and founder of We5 (a collective that prides itself on inclusivity and exceptional creative energy). He has had the good fortune of working across many disciplines, from poetry to comics to film to theater. When he’s not making great theater, he’s hanging out with his family, who have learned to tolerate him.